ELEMENTS: Acquiesce by Kathryn Andrews (snow like ashes series .TXT) 📕

“Cordelia, come quick!” said Nixie, bursting through the wall.

“Do you mind?” asked Cordelia, grabbing a towel.

“You need to get dressed, they’ve locked Breck in the tower!”

“What? Why would they do that?” asked Cordelia, stepping out of the bath.

“They know he’s not like us.”

Cordelia flung on the dress and stepped into the hallway where the maid was waiting.

“I trust the dress fits?”

“It’s fine, thank you,” replied Cordelia. “Which way to the tower?”

“Your father’s waiting to see you.”

“My father?”

“The King.”

“He knows I’m here?”

“Of course,” said the woman. “He sent for you.”

“If I am the King’s daughter, release my guest from the tower.”

“You shall have to speak to your father about that. Follow me.”

Cordelia followed the maid along a windowless hallway. At the far end was a pair of ornate double doors at least twice her height. The doors opened before they knocked and a butler bowed as Cordelia slowly entered the room.

King Lorcan held out his arms, “Cordelia!” he said, smiling.

Cordelia stayed put. “Good afternoon, your highness.”

The King signaled for his butler to leave before speaking further. “You look just like your mother.”

“How long have you known?”

“I’ve always known.”

“Then why have I never met you until now?” asked Cordelia.

“I needed to be sure. I needed to know you were one of us.”

“And what if I wasn’t? What if I was like her?”

“We can’t very well have Sirens running amock in the castle, can we? It would cause an uproar.”

“I thought you liked Sirens. You were fond of my mother, weren’t you?”

“Your mother was different. She wanted to end the killing of innocent people.”

“Yet you left her to die instead of bringing her here to live with you. You left me to die!” exclaimed Cordelia.

Tears welled in Cordelia’s eyes and she faught to hold them back, but one tear fell over the edge. Cordelia caught the gem in her hand and closed her fingers tightly around it.

“I want to see Breck. What business have you locking him in the tower?” said Cordelia.

“What business have you bringing him here? You’d risk Meren for a boy?”

Cordelia stared at the King with astonishment. “How dare you. Rule number six, thou shalt not converse with Sirens. Do the rules not apply to the King?”

“If I obeyed the rules, you would not exist.”

“Did you love her?”

King Lorcan nodded. “Very much so.”

“Then why lock Breck in the tower?”

“My relationship with your mother was a secret. She never came here.”

“If you loved her, why didn’t you bring her back?”

“Meren would never accept it.”

“You love your crown more.”

“That’s not true.”

“Prove it. Do the right thing now and release Breck.”

“You’re my only heir, Cordelia. If you choose Breck you must forfeit the throne.”

Cordelia’s nostrils flared and she held out her hand. “Give me the key to the tower.”

“Very well,” said the King and led her through the castle to the tower.”

“Where is he?” asked Cordelia, upon finding an empty cell.

The King studied the door. “The lock, it’s melted.”

Cordelia smiled and rushed down the steps.

“Cordelia, wait!”

Cordelia ran across the courtyard calling Breck’s name.

Breck appeared by an archway leading to a garden. “Cordelia! This way.”

Cordelia followed Breck into the garden where the others were seated for afternoon tea.

Cordelia observed the staff waiting on her friends and the gardeners tending to the roses. When she was sure they were a safe distance away she whispered, “We’re leaving.”

“We just got here,” said Rafe.

“What’s wrong with you?” asked Max in his usual bolshy tone. “We’ve been waiting forever to get here.”

“Nobody’s leaving. Especially not my daughter,” said King Lorcan, putting his arm around Cordelia. “You’re a rare soul.”

“I always said there was something different about her,” said Max, “something special.”

“Max, be quiet,” said Lana.

The staff pulled out chairs for the King, Cordelia and Breck. Over afternoon tea, in the balmy ocean breeze, they became better acquainted. Suddenly, the afternoon sun disappeared behind an ominous dark cloud and a shiver ran through Cordelia’s body, causing every hair to stand on end.

“There’s trouble coming,” warned Cordelia.

“We’re well protected here,” reassured King Lorcan. “Why don’t we move inside. We’ve a party to get ready for.”

That evening was the annual Meren Summer Ball. Cordelia was getting ready in her room with Lana and the twins.

“I really wanted to get here on my own merit,” said Cordelia.

“And you did,” said Lana. “Nobody won the competition but we’re here anyway.”

“The tide will always take you where you need to go,” said Nerissa.

“The horses brought us,” said Masika.

“The King said he sent for me. He must have sent the horses,” said Cordelia.

“Can you believe King Lorcan is your father?” said Lana.

“It’s strange,” said Cordelia. “I already have a father, though I’m beginning to believe that anything is possible.”

“Will you tell Flynn?” asked Masika.

“Perhaps. When the time is right.”

When the girls were dressed they followed the sound of fast, raucous music along the passageways to the great hall where merfolk from across the globe were dancing and laughing in merriment. The girls’ faces lit up like stars in the night sky. Never before had they attended such a spectacular event.

“May I?” asked Breck, reaching out a hand.

Cordelia took Breck’s hand and followed him to the dance floor.

Breck pulled Cordelia in close and whispered in her ear, “You look beautiful.”

“I can’t hear you.”

“You look beautiful!” he said louder, just as the music stopped.

All eyes turned to Cordelia before being diverted away by King Lorcan’s entrance. Standing on a raised platform at one end of the great hall, he began to speak.

“Ladies and gentlemen, what a priviledge and honour it is to enjoy your company tonight. For those of you who attend this ball every year, this year is different. Tonight is a very special night as I introduce to you my heir, Princess Cordelia.”

Startled by the unexpected announcement, Cordelia stood frozen on the spot.

“Cordelia, don’t be shy, come and join me.”

Cordelia walked the length of the great hall to the sound of applause. Women curtsied and men bowed their heads as she walked past, all except one. Prince Cillian, King Lorcan’s